Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-18

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

How sugar is produced from sugar cane

Student answer (Band 5.5)

As it is shown in the diagram, the manufacturing process for making sugar from sugar cane is a 7 step interesting process.

Initially, the sugar canes are grown in fields which takes 12 to 18 months in total to grow. After they are fully grown, the farmers start the process of harvesting. Then, in the next step sugar canes are crushed in machines that releases juice which is later purified through limestone filter. Later on, the juice is given heat in an evaporator until it becomes syrup. The centrifuge machine then separates the sugar crystals from the syrup. Lastly, the sugar crystals are dried and cooled, ready for consumption.

To Summarize, this was the complete process of how sugar is produced from sugar canes, from growing to harvesting by the farmers, then being crushed in machines that produce juice that is later on purified in limestone filter. In the next step heat is provided to the juice until it becomes syrup, followed by separating sugar crystals from syrup and then dried and cooled.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all stages of the process, from growing to final consumption. However, the overview is weak; it merely states the number of steps rather than highlighting the main features or the nature of the process (e.g., the transition from raw material to refined product). The summary paragraph at the end is redundant, as it repeats information already provided in the body, which does not contribute to a clear, concise overview. To improve, ensure the overview identifies the key stages (cultivation, processing, and refining) and avoid repeating the entire process in the conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized, moving chronologically through the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After', 'Then', and 'Lastly' are used to guide the reader. However, the final paragraph is essentially a repetition of the previous body paragraph, which makes the structure feel somewhat mechanical and repetitive rather than cohesive. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the flow would be improved by synthesizing the information more effectively rather than restating it.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using process-specific terms like 'harvesting', 'crushed', 'purified', 'evaporator', and 'centrifuge'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'interesting process' are subjective and not suitable for an academic report. There is a lack of more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for the verbs used. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe the chemical or mechanical changes occurring during the process.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentences. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'As it is shown' (should be 'As shown') and 'the juice is given heat' (a bit awkward; 'the juice is heated' is more natural). The phrase 'purified through limestone filter' is missing an article ('a' or 'the'). While these errors do not impede communication, they demonstrate a lack of full control over complex structures. Increasing the variety of sentence structures and ensuring articles are used correctly would improve the score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.